There’s no doubt about it, there’s something very special about a night out in Glasgow. Step into almost any pub and it won’t be long before you’re chatting away to someone you’ve never met or swapping recommendations with the bartender.
As someone born and raised in the city, narrowing down Glasgow’s best pubs is no easy task. Every local has their favourites and there are plenty that could have earned a place on this list. But the pubs below stand out for more than just a good pint.
They’re the places where stories are shared, live music fills the room, history lingers in the walls and communities come together. At a time when traditional pubs continue to close across Scotland, these are the 11 best venues that keep Glasgow’s famously welcoming spirit alive – and they’re well worth seeking out.
The Arlington Bar
The Stone of Destiny, upon which most monarchs have been crowned since it was seized from Scotland by Edward I in 1296, was stolen back in 1950 by a group of University of Glasgow students and they brought it here for a celebratory pint. The pub claims the one that was returned months later was a fake and that the real version is, in fact, here. So pop along and you might see a piece of history. Inside are mahogany details, no TVs, and posters of musicians including Bob Dylan alongside the apparently original stone. Outside, you can enjoy a pint on one of the suntrap street seats.
The Pot Still
A pub has stood here since 1867, although it opened as The Pot Still just 45 years ago. While there are tourists sprinkled in the crowd now, the primary patrons are still locals and it’s always packed – so pull up a stool and sit wherever there’s space. There are more than 1,000 whiskies on the gantry, and the staff are renowned for their expertise.
The Pot Still’s whisky collection (Photo: Pot Still)Scotia Bar
One of several pubs claiming to be the city’s oldest, the Scotia Bar has been open since 1792 and has a history of radical politics and an unrivalled reputation for live music. Performers have included Billy Connolly and Gerry Rafferty, while stars like Stan Laurel and Woody Guthrie have crossed the threshold as patrons. There are wood beams, low ceilings and an array of pub philosophers propping up the bar.
The Lismore
This is probably the newest place on the list, having opened in 1996, but it has established itself as one of the West End’s most colourful. Named after one of the Hebridean Islands, The Lismore is a quirky twist on a traditional Scottish boozer, with stained glass windows depicting the Highland clearances, and exposed stone walls. Go on a Tuesday to take part in the Glasgow tradition of “takin’ a turn” at the weekly sing song.
The quirky, colourful interiors of The Lismore (Photo: Jaymi McCann)Jinty McGuinty’s
Once a cobbled street of Victorian stables and warehouses, Ashton Lane is now one of Glasgow’s most popular nightlife destinations, and among the wine bars and breweries you’ll find Jinty McGuinty’s, a lively Irish pub – though, crucially, not an Irish-themed pub – where you’re guaranteed a good time. The bar is decked out in dark woods and deep green hues – without any kitsch tat – while the crowd is an unpretentious mix of locals and students from the nearby university. Expect live music, good Guinness, and a fun-filled night that could lead anywhere.
The Laurieston
From the two-tier formica tables, to the original heated McGhee’s pie unit, The Laurieston is a time warp that has barely changed since the 1960s. Expect a quintessentially mixed Glasgow crowd, from old boys reading their papers to fashionable young people chatting away.
www.instagram.com/p/C-IYW2rqJGe/The Griffin
Glasgow has more than 20 theatres, but the King’s, dating from 1904, is a particularly special example. Across the road is The Griffin, a much-loved pub built around the same time with beautiful art nouveau etched glass and Edwardian wood panelling. Stars from touring shows are commonly spotted, but the local crowd is its true heart.
The Old Toll Bar
Probably the most beautiful Victorian pub interior in Glasgow, The Old Toll Bar sparkles after a 2016 refurbishment, with carved mahogany, painted glass and ornate details. Behind the bar, meanwhile, sit four original whisky casks. Dating from 1874, the pub has been used for filming in productions such as James McAvoy’s Filth and Shetland.
The Griffin dates back to the turn of the 20th centuryProvider: [email protected]The Horseshoe Bar
Opened in 1884 as a Victorian gin palace, The Horseshoe’s interiors have barely changed since then, with mahogany furnishings, stained glass, and ornate detailing. The 104-foot bar is one of the longest in the UK, and upstairs hosts daily karaoke sessions.
M J Heraghty
This place has been a pub since 1890 and run by The Heraghty family for more than 50 years, with former landlord Michael J Heraghty still legendary around these parts. It’s a bit of a South Side institution with a reputation for live music, a vast array of 100 malt whiskeys, and, apparently, the best Guinness in the city.
M J Heraghty is a Glasgow favourite for its live musicThe Hielan Jessie
If you’re looking for real Glasgow this is where you’ll find it. The Hielan Jessie is named after the Victorian wife of a killed sergeant in the 17th Highland Regiment, who rallied the troops and inspired them to survive a mutiny. Housed in the oldest standing tenement in Glasgow, dating from 1771, the pub draws a multi-generational crowd and feels like going back to a time when everything didn’t feel curated and polished.
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